The memory that I have of an incident when I experienced prejudice was when I was in high school and a boy in my class thought that Jewish people were workers for the devil and that we had horns that would come out of our heads at night. When he said this to me I was shocked and I asked him who told him that. He said his parents did. Of course I told him that his parents were wrong and stupid and that he was stupid for believing them. I was very mad and hurt by what he said and I remember being very angry for awhile afterwards. It was a long time before I told any new people that I meant that I was Jewish.
This particular prejudice had nothing to do with equity. I still had my friends and they stood by me when this happened and did everything they could to make me feel better.
The feelings that this incident brought up for me were anger, confused, sad and alone. It was the first time I had ever dealt with something like that and I didn't know how to respond. I was 16 years old and like most teenagers I yelled first and felt later.
I think that if we would have had a class about tolerance and acceptance, I think that I would not have had to deal with that kind of ignorance if a class like that was mandatory in my school.
Hi Emily
ReplyDeleteIt is really sad and upsetting by the remarks people make sometimes. Parents who induce prejudice and discriminating thoughts into their young children's minds are typically those with issues and low self esteem. Don't let your anger get in your way, there are crazy haters out there…we just need to avoid them!
I sure you've become stronger since then, and hopefully after this course you are confident enough to handle that negativity.
Talisha
Do you think at the time he was saying this to be mean or that is just what he truly thought and didn't mean to be hurtful? I think sometimes as children and youth, we are quick to believe the things that we hear, especially when we hear them from a trusted person, and then we can be quick to repeat them not understanding how it may be hurtful to someone else. Unfortunately, there are things that people may say metaphorically in the confines of their own home, not realizing that children may take it literally and repeat it later. I think it is only one step to keep your personal opinions to yourself and not say them to hurt others, but it is a whole new step to overcome those prejudices in the first place and be accepting of the diversity of all people.
ReplyDeleteEmily,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that an incident like that happened to you. I agree with you that more classes about tolerance and acceptance are needed since there are such diverse cultures coming together now in schools than there were years ago. Unfortunately, this will not change the biases that parents have already given their children.
Hi Emily,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your personal story. I'm sad to know that you had to go through a situation like that. I agree that it would be nice if there were mandatory diversity classes throughout elementary, middle and high schools. I would've loved to learn some of this way back then.
Hi Emily, Thank for sharing your story. I know this was an easy to relive that horrible incident. First let me say that I am sorry that happen to you. I can see how this incident brought up feeling of anger, confused, sad and alone. This is why it is important for us to educate our children about people who are are difference from them. This can be dangerous and hate crimes are alive and well.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily,
ReplyDeleteMany views that people have are instilled in them from their parents, so many times people who are not open-minded to think for themselves are virtually the ones that may say stupid things. So it does not surprise me that at that age a child can say something so ridiculous, it just shows that as adults its up to us to instill the foundation for a positive attitude that will live inside of our children.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI believe that a class on tolerance and acceptance of diversity is an excellent idea for children in every grade or it could be part of a school orientation. Thank you for sharing your personal experience that sounds very painful. All the years can be crucial to a child's self-esteem but teenagers are extremely vulnerable to criticisms in my eyes. I know that we all are affected by our experiences in life, we can only hope that we are better people because of them.